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First Parish in Wayland, a historic church building in Wayland center.

Living in Wayland, Massachusetts

Wayland is a town in Middlesex County in the MetroWest area, settled in 1638 as part of Sudbury and incorporated separately in 1780. It was renamed in 1835 for Dr.

Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0

Wayland at a glance

Wayland's villages and zip codes

Wayland and Cochituate share the 01778 zip code.

Wayland villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Wayland center01778Along Route 27 and Concord Road, where the Town Building, library and First Parish are located.
Cochituate01778

Things to do in Wayland, MA

Start with Wayland Town Beach and First Parish in Wayland, then 3 more below.

  1. Wayland Town Beach

    A seasonal town beach on Dudley Pond with a picnic grove for day use; passes are required in season.

    Seasonal

    Dudley Pond, Wayland, MA

  2. First Parish in Wayland

    A historic church building in Wayland center, one of the town's oldest religious congregations.

    Free

    Wayland center

  3. North Cemetery

    A historic burying ground where Samuel Parris, a magistrate connected to the Salem witch trials, is buried in an unmarked grave.

    Free

    Wayland, MA

  4. Loker Recreation Area

    A town recreation complex with a turf athletic field.

    Free

    Wayland, MA

  5. Dudley Woods Trail

    A town conservation trail near Dudley Pond.

    FreeYear-round

    Wayland, MA

More worth a visit

  • Oxbow Meadows FieldA town athletic field along the Sudbury River.
  • Happy Hollow PlaygroundA neighborhood playground maintained by the Recreation Department.
  • Claypit Hill PlaygroundA neighborhood playground maintained by the Recreation Department.

A little history

Wayland was first settled in 1638 as part of Sudbury and was incorporated as a separate town in 1780 under the name East Sudbury.

The town was renamed Wayland in 1835 in honor of Dr. Francis Wayland, a Brown University president who helped it pay off debt in exchange for the name change.

Wayland's early public library history helped lead to an 1851 Massachusetts law enabling towns to establish free public libraries.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Wayland

Wayland's conservation and recreation land follows Dudley Pond, the Sudbury River and a network of town trails.

  • Wayland Town BeachSeasonal swimming and a picnic grove on Dudley Pond.
  • Dudley Woods TrailA conservation trail near Dudley Pond.
  • Loker Recreation AreaTurf athletic field and recreation complex.
  • Oxbow Meadows FieldAthletic field along the Sudbury River.

Walkability and getting around Wayland

Wayland center and the Cochituate village have sidewalks around their local shops and civic buildings, but most of the town is low-density and residents typically need a car to get around.

Check any Wayland address

Drive times

  • Boston, about 18 miles30-40 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

Wikipedia and the town website do not list an MBTA commuter rail station or fixed bus route within Wayland; residents typically drive to stations or bus stops in neighboring towns.

Wayland property taxes

Wayland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.83 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,483 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $18,259, on an average assessed value of $1,231,217.

Wayland's FY2026 tax rates

$14.83per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$14.83 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$1,231,217
  • Average single-family tax bill$18,259
  • Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value

Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.

Wayland property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$18.35
FY2023$16.65
FY2024$15.52
FY2025$15.63
FY2026$14.83

Look up a Wayland property

Buying a home in Wayland

What we check on a Wayland purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, title 5, smoke cert.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Pelham Island, along the Sudbury River, has flooded in past years; the Sudbury River and Dudley Pond areas are the parts of town most affected by FEMA flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Wayland
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Wayland Fire & EMS before the sale closes. Call 508-358-4747 to schedule.

Wayland Fire & EMS page
Title 5

Septic systems common outside sewer areas

Only part of Wayland has town sewer service through the Wastewater Management District Commission; homes elsewhere are on private septic systems, which need a Title 5 inspection before sale. The Health Department posts inspection reports from 2020 onward in an online portal searchable by address.

Health Department septic records
Smoke cert

Smoke and CO certificate before closing

Massachusetts sellers need a smoke and carbon-monoxide detector compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home can close.

Fire & EMS

All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Wayland?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Wayland address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

Compare loan optionsOur process

Moving to Wayland: utilities, trash and town building

Who to call in Wayland.

Wayland Transfer Station

66 River Road, Wayland, MA 01778

See the town's current fee schedule for sticker and bag pricing

Transfer station details

Town Building offices and contacts

Wayland Town Building is at 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778. Main line: 508-358-3600.

Wayland, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Wayland, MA?

Wayland's FY2026 residential tax rate is $14.83 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.

How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Wayland?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,932 a year at $14.83 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Wayland have a split tax rate?

No. Wayland uses a single rate of $14.83 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Wayland?

The average single-family tax bill in Wayland was $18,259 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,231,217.

What zip code does Wayland, MA use?

Wayland and its Cochituate village both use the 01778 zip code.

Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Wayland?

Wayland has no curbside collection. Residents bring trash to the town transfer station on River Road using pay-as-you-throw bags and a permit sticker.

Does Wayland have public water and sewer?

Wayland has an MWRA water connection for parts of town, but sewer service is limited to areas covered by the Wastewater Management District Commission; other homes use private septic systems.

How far is Wayland from Boston?

Wayland is about 18 miles west of Boston, roughly a 30-40 minute drive depending on traffic.

Where can I check a Wayland property's assessed value?

The Assessors' Office publishes an online property database for FY2026 values.

Towns near Wayland

Neighbors of Wayland, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources